Avatar...what a terrible movie. Gone with the Wind The Wizard of Oz

Whew, this is exhausting. I'm going to go ride my bike and recover. Have a good weekend.

I think I'm going to mind-map this thread and see where it heck it goes. :tongue_smilie:

I will add that I too see this as a wonderful dream, but the fact remains if you have a church community that is destitute, where in the world are they going to get the money to help each other? The assumption that a church can support those in needs, presupposes that it's congregants have the financial means to do so.

Oh, that's clever.:001_huh: I'm working on it.

My family just received an opportunity for a home in Tulle, France next summer. Has anyone been to this area in France?

Yeah, what she said.

Yeah, I'm not so sure about that.

My six year old is more articulate than that doughnut of a boy.

Which one?

But it's quite pertinent to the discussion. The fact remains 3/4 of our GDP relies on consumption. People who stay home do not directly and measurably contribute to the overall GDP and are therefore less valued. Our society benchmarks value on economic contribution.

But it is something we men can learn to do. I know full well that I have some learning and changing to do when it comes to my daughter. I also know full well that I am much more attuned to the overall emotional energy in our home than my wife.

I'm one that appreciates gender bending. I can at once comfort my children from fear and tear the heart out of anyone who may bring them harm. I can cook, clean, do laundry, change nappies and then go kick butt. Meet the demands of my wife? She knows better. But I will listen to her concerns and desires; I will comfort her in need; I will be empathetic toward her; I will change my patterns of behavior when necessary to benefit the foundation and integrity of our relationship. It's actually pretty nice being a modern man. Interesting question that certainly makes me want to write so much more than I have time for.

Cammie's thread on a father's ritual with his daughter got me to thinking (even harder). http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/21/fashion/21GenB.html I'm currently looking at ways to create and cherish more ritual in my family. I'm particularly interested in ways I can create ritual with my daughter. She'll be staying home after her Montessori K year and I want to find ways to connect on a deeper level. I'm looking for some ideas to mull over. Thanks.

Thanks for the article. I'm currently looking at ways to create and cherish more ritual in our family. I'm particularly interested in ways I can create ritual with my daughter, she'll be staying home after her Montessori K year. I'll be posting a new thread on this topic. Thanks.

I think the common thread through this is empower them to make decisions early and give them responsibility, create opportunities for success and support them when they "fail". Build self-esteem, teach them to set goals and get them thinking about their future. Help them understand their motivations and desires, and nurture compassion and empathy.

Are you force marching him through his education? If so, maybe it's time for a re-evaluation of his learning process. Is there a way to engage him in a different fashion. I clearly realize which forum this is, but if the classical model is not working for your son, maybe you should engage him in a different method. I know from personal experience, if I enjoy something, my speed of learning and retention of knowledge is exponentially increased. My son is very logical and has the same brain wiring as me. He and I click on a certain level when it comes to learning. I have a challenge with my daughter in the she is quite different from me. I'm going to have to (she's still in Montessori) taylor a different education environment and process to her needs. I know that if I try to force feed her the same process as I'm giving my son, WE will have problems. I don't want my children to hate and despise they're education, I want them to love the process of learning and I feel it's my responsibility to help them find the way that best fits to that goal. And I've seen both my children (5 and 6) work independently for hours if given materials that engage them in a way that meets their needs. It's not labor to them, it's love - well, a little of both.

I'm looking for some ideas for cookbooks to be referenced by my kids for help with menu creation. I'm not looking for one of those kid's cookbooks with kid recipes. I'm hoping to find cookbooks incorporating international and vegetarian cuisine and good, colorful pictures.

I'm sure glad I get along with my mother-in-law. My father-in-law? Let's just say I've spent a lot of time wishing him well. :mellow:

I posted my statement of intent for education my children next year back when I was spradlin02. It got all of one response. It's gone through a slight revision since posting, but essentially the same. Now I'm in the process of defining how to achieve each. I realize quickly in this process that the process of curriculum can quickly envelop any other intentions.

I'll get the free diet soda with my Polish Sausage from Costco; it used to be about every three months. After reading Ominvore's Dilemna and watching Food, Inc., I don't buy hot dogs anymore. Man I miss those hot dogs somedays. My kids would enjoy some of the diet soda and somehow thought it was good, it's terrible. Sometimes we make our own carbonated water and add it to juice. They like that process.

I hate to be contradictory, but recent studies are show that venting doesn't relieve stress or feelings of anger, and actually galvanizes those negative behavior patterns. :001_smile:

A Series of Unfortunate Events Tim Curry is great. I think kids have to be a bit older to appreciate the dark humor.

But at least hunting you get bloody deer hanging in your garage.